1. 1 Integrated Assessment of the Impact of Trade Liberalization on the Rice Sector of Nigeria: A Synopsis of Findings Tunji Akande Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), PMB 05, UIPO Ibadan. Nigeria. stunjiakande@yahoo.com

2. 2 Brief description of the project Study attempted Economic, Social and Environmental Impact Assessment of rice production in Nigeria within trade liberalization framework Institution directly involved is NISER assisted by steering committee/stakeholders as follows: Ministries of Environment and Agriculture University of Agriculture Rice farmers apex association Africa Rice Centre (WARDA) and IITA Research institutes – NCRI and IAR&T Rice processors; traders; consumers.

3. 3 The Nigerian rice sector Land area under rice – c. 2.5M ha. Production – 3 – 3.5 M tons Demand – 5 M tons Imports – 1 M tons Area expansion – 10% per annum Nigeria’s goal – self-sufficiency (2006); net exporter (2007) Challenge? Increased production that promotes: economic gain; social well-being of citizens; sanctity/integrity of environment; and sustainable development

4. 4 Main impacts identified by integrated assessment Positive impact:  Income generation  Employment  Poverty reduction  Improved nutrition  Reduction of imports  Increased commercialisation  Improved production practices Negative impact:  Environmental degradation – soil mining; air and water pollution; deforestation; loss of biodiversity  Health problems  Gender differentiation

5. 5 Main lessons learned Participatory process is important for development initiative Rice has penetrated deep into the Nigerian food economy Rice is significant for trade, production diversification issues in Nigeria

6. 6 Main recommendations from project Land use planning needed for rice Improve production practices to raise productivity Efficient processing to improve quality of local rice Set quality standards to meet consumer preference Judicious use of tariff to facilitate healthy competition between imported and local rice Environment management to control negative impact

7. 7 Activities undertaken to implement recommendations Dissemination at stakeholders workshop Wide distribution of report Establishment of implementation group Strategic memorandum on findings and implementation prepared for government

8. 8 Main achievements of project Raised awareness on environmental implications of an expansive rice programme Created a forum for stakeholders to take decisions for mutual interest Developed capacity for integrated assessment as against isolated sectoral analysis Organic farming identified as a viable option

9. 9 Challenges faced for follow-up Securing the support of policy makers for implementation Organising a meeting of implementation committee established Seed money required to initiate implementation lacking Developing fundable programmes for implementing the findings

10. 10 What is needed to move ahead Provision of seed money to initiate implementation Securing explicit support of FME and FMA Ascertain additional support that UNEP can provide

11. 11 Thank you Merci!